3 Main Causes of Medical Malpractice Claims

When we visit the doctor, we are focused on getting better or getting healthier. Nobody wants to worry about a doctor committing medical malpractice. After all, the Hippocratic Oath that doctors take before they are licensed states that doctors should do no harm. As disconcerting as it may be, patients should be aware of the types of medical malpractice that can and do occur. What happens when doctors commit medical malpractice after taking an oath not to harm patients? What are the most common types of medical malpractice in the United States? The answers might surprise you.

Delayed or Missed Diagnosis

When a doctor gives a patient the wrong medical diagnosis or does not give a diagnosis at all, the patient can suffer terribly and even die as a result. The main reason for medical malpractice claims in non-hospital outpatient settings is a missed or delayed diagnosis. If the doctor diagnoses the patient with the wrong ailment, and the patient receives treatment, that treatment could cause adverse effects. If the doctor fails to diagnose a patient correctly, the patient will not receive proper medical care. As a result, his or her condition might worsen more rapidly, especially if the doctor missed a patient’s cancer diagnosis.

Childbirth and Pregnancy Care Related Malpractice

Many complications can happen during pregnancy and childbirth and, unfortunately, some of these problems occur due to medical malpractice. Surgeons and OB/GYN doctors are the most commonly sued specialists in medicine. Problems during pregnancy can cause seizure disorders, paralysis, and cerebral palsy. Failing to diagnose severe medical conditions in pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, anemia, gestational diabetes, and lupus could result in the fetus and mother suffering an injury. Finally, doctors have failed to perform a C-section when necessary or used a vacuum extractor or forceps negligently, causing injury.

Negligence Regarding Anesthesia

Anyone who has had surgery knows that anesthesia is an excellent and necessary tool for those going under the knife. Nonetheless, when not appropriately administered, anesthesia can have extremely negative consequences. The following are common ways that doctors commit medical malpractice — neglecting to consider the patient’s vital signs, using defective equipment, not soliciting a complete patient history, and using too much anesthesia. Making even one single small mistake when it comes to anesthesia can result in brain damage, death, or injury to a patient.

What Does a New Hampshire Plaintiff Need to Prove in a Medical Malpractice Case?

Perhaps you are considering bringing a lawsuit against a health care professional who committed medical malpractice in New Hampshire. Here is what you need to do to achieve the compensation you require. First, you will need to prove that you were a patient in a patient-provider relationship with the provider who committed the malpractice. You will also need to prove that he or she acted negligently or recklessly. You will need to demonstrate that this negligence caused your injury and that the injury caused you damages such as lost wages or pain and suffering.